adidas started our anticipation months ago with “leaked” pics of the D.Lillard 1, and since that day ballplayers and sneakerheads alike have been standing by, waiting to see what the Three Stripes will come with. Was it worth the wait? Yes… and no.
adidas has made a commitment to guard play the last two years, signing Ricky Rubio, John Wall (transfer), Dame, Lowry, Teague, and Conley, not to mention the one who started it all, D.Rose. With Chicago’s finest on the shelf for the past decade, adidas needed faces to appeal to the young masses. Enter the D.Lillard 1. One of the most casual-appealing basketball shoes adidas has ever produced, it still needs to perform to make my list. So, here…we…go… [divider]
CUSHIONING – From the day the tech specs came out and I saw it was the same midsole setup as the J.Wall1, I was immediately let down. Not that the Wall is bad, but it didn’t stand up to modern foams like Micro G or Boost, or even Lunarlon. As soon as I laced up and stepped down, however, I felt bounce. Not Boost bounce, but a little feedback, like the old adiprene+ when we didn’t know better. Especially the heel slab, which is normally a downgrade for stability but we get solid stand-up stability from that area. No jarring on impact and the forefoot is low using the adiprene+ to allow you to feel the court and really dig in on defense. This was not the same feel as the Wall. Probably my favorite part of the shoe.
[divider]
TRACTION – Using the “wavebone” pattern from the forefoot of the D.Rose 5 is genius, as that pattern and rubber compound stuck like crazy. These have been no different. Playing on some of the same floors as the Hyperrev review, but a couple different, I was grabbing and pushing any time I wanted. Running through screens and staying in front on defense was super quick, and even dropsteps were covered using the broken herringbone from the Crazy Light 3 on the heel. You can’t see it because of the cow print but there are vertical grooves in the forefoot, to give a little more lateral grab. The pattern is not very deep and the rubber is not exactly hard, so outdoors will probably be a short-lived experience, but I rarely play outdoors so what do I know. [divider] 
MATERIALS – Again, one of my favorite parts of the shoe. I actually have 4 favorite parts, but the fifth is so “not my favorite” it ruins the other 4 overall. Later. The upper utilizes nubucks and synthetics for a leather-like feel, going away from Sprintweb and fuses. Good. My love for all things natural is well known, and with these, the Melo 11, the BrandBlack series, and some others, I am super-hyped to see leather-like uppers coming back. These pics were taken after the review process, so two weeks, 8 days playing full court for at least 2 hours a session, and they still look like this. Some wrinkles, but it is the shoe “learning” your foot. Makes the fit that much better. The TechFit tongue is masterful – well ventilated and thick – enough padding. I really like the homage to Gilbert Arenas Gil.0 series with the faux snake print around the toe bumper. Nice personal detail. [divider] 
SUPPORT – Not much, really. There is a SprintFrame, but is isn’t the Rose series frame. It is limited to the black cup seen in the pic right above the midsole and stays that height all the way under the midfoot. It doesn’t give the pinch like the previous shoes – it seems to be flattened under the arch and lateral side, so no break in time to flatten it yourself. The heel cup is very short, ending at the lower creases seen in the picture. The forefoot straps do pull the shoe around the toes, giving the wearer a “push off” when driving or moving. But honestly, that is it. And honestly, you don’t need much more. Now… [divider] 
FIT – The downfall of what I think is a borderline great shoe. Forefoot is not quite locked in, but pretty close. Midfoot is the same – slight movement but workable. Heel – blew it. Badly. And it would have been such an easy solution. Let’s start at the front, though, and work our way back. The forefoot is wide, but not unwearably so. The lacing there pulls the red straps up and does fairly good job of cinching the shoe in and pulling the foot into the midsole. I felt a little side-to-side but nothing too terrible. The midfoot is the same – little movement but not terrible. And here is where the easy fixes come into play – the lace holes. The flat laces coupled with the metal lace holes let the laces slip back through once they are pulled tight. It is almost impossible to keep the shoe tight in that area without some work. Luckily the midfoot materials are formed and molded to fit well, taking up most of the room. 
Now we get to the real problem, and for me it is huge. The heel fit is…off. And I say it that way because it felt like the shoe was coming off when I wore it. It did get better at the end of the review as the materials broke in, but unless you lace EXTREMELY tight, you will get some serious slippage. But if you do lace tight enough to stop the slipping, you get some serious lace pressure on the front of your ankle. The bad part is, the solution was simple – the throat is wide and the lacing stops low, so immediately you have a lot of area for movement. With the heel counter being so short, there isn’t really anything to hold the heel in place – no extra padding, no contoured areas, just the TechFit sleeve. The silver material is extremely pliable so it lets the heel move however it wants. If a real SprintFrame heel counter was used, or somehow added one more lacehole, problem solved. So close.They do run true, so whatever you normally wear, get it. I have seen debate on sizing down to stop the heel slipping, but length-wise I think they will be too short. [divider] OVERALL – What could have been a GREAT shoe, knocked off by one little (BIG) problem. The Lillard is so smooth in transition and the court feel is some of the best, bringing traction and the adiprene+ together to just make you feel fast, until that clunky heel fit makes you stop and stabilize. Maybe I overthink it – maybe I am the only one with this problem. I mean, they work for Dame, and Kyle Lowry has been wearing them, and the Badgers had some killer PE’s on last week. But to me, the heel slip took away from the greatness of the rest of the shoe. For $105, they are a pretty good bargain, getting better materials, great traction, and a little bounce in your step. And honestly, they look clean as f— in the All-Star colorway, and the March Madness colorways coming next month. I even like the cow print of the Aways. Just try them on first. 
First of all, great review Bryan! Second of all, I was just wondering if you thought that sizing down would help with the heel slippage problem?
Not at all. I’ve gone up to 1.5 sizes down and I still had major heel slippage. Very disappointed
It might help – I have read some doing this and helping. But for me it would have been too short on my feet.
Thanks for the review!
of all, why the fit T_T
Great review as always, Duke! I’ve recently been taking your reviews into account since we almost have the same body type.
Anyway, perhaps wearing Ankle Braces or Neoprene Ankle Sleeves may help the Heel Slip? I wear Speedwraps and they somehow help the fit with some shoes.
I have been playing in these since they released and have experienced zero heal slippage and lock down has been so good to don’t even notice the shoe when I play. I will say that they seem to run a half size big considering they seem to be the same length as my crazyquicks and DRose 3’s that are a half size bigger.
I received a product a couple of months ago that I will do a review on shortly. It is a pair of socks that has gel inserts that go in a pocket under your ankle bone. These are designed to prevent heel slip in running shoes. Tried them with the Lillard and they did work, although they are too thin in the forefoot for me to play ball. I’ll post some pics and review in the next couple of days.
Great work and very informative review!Thanks!
Good review. These are the fastest selling Adidas BB Sig shoe.
Awesome review man. I used to read all your reviews back in CounterKicks and the videos just adds another level os depth to them. Great Job!
I’m glad I got the HyperRev 2015 over these, can’t wait to play in them.
Appreciate the review, got a pair of the ASG edition that I’ll be playing in shortly. I’m curious to see how I’ll feel about the fit on the heel after reading your concern. Trying them on I really like the cushion around the back but they definitely don’t have that perfect feel immediately the way the low Kobes always seem to.
these plus the adidas rose speed wrap a great combination and solve the heel/ankle support problem
Hoffman – appreciate it. Yeah, it has been a while at CK and now here. Still loving it though.
Spencer – why would I buy lowtops, to have freedom of mobility, and then Speedwrap them? Plus, you just asked me to spend $105 on a shoe that should work, with no adjustments, and spend another $40-50 on Wraps to make it work? Nah, get it right the first time.
Duke,
I have the lillard’s, and to alleviate the heel slippage issue, you must go through the top eyelet a second time, after the first go through.
It works.
Thanks so much for this! I was worried I wouldn’t be able to wear these shoes because of this problem, but they work way better now.
Duke beetwen this 3 shoe which do you think is best for me:melo m11,hyperfuse 014,new hyperrev
What im looking for in shoe is in this particular order:
Fit:must be able fit my wide and thick foot nicely
Support:im a big and heavy man who play back to the basket so naturally the shoe must support me
Cushioning:like i said im big and heavy on my foot,so a firmer cushioning is my preference,i dont mind a lil bounce as long as its not tiring my foot(zoom in aj 12 yes,zoom in lebron 11??big no)
Homer, I would go Fuse 14. They may not look great, but the cushioning is solid, front and back, and it will fit your wide foot better than the other two. Plus they are CHEAP on finishline now.
Duke, how about when only impact protection is taken into account for the cushioning, is the Hyperfuse 14 still better than Melo M11 and Hyperrev 15?
Duke,thanks that really made up my mind
I just tried these on and am now on the hunt for the Weber state pair. these kicks felt great and I cant believe that Adidas did Wall like that. these are real comfy with Grip ready to go, the heal cushion set up reminds me of the Hyper Rev 2015 and nothing like the Wall 1 where that is supposed to have Adiaprene plus. It’s like Micro G I guess, numerous models have it a and they all feel different – where the Clutchfit feels more like the Black ice and the Spawn feels like the Blur. Well, just from a try on these shoes have me Jonesin’. Come to think of it that I have been looking these kicks, Adidas has a seller finally. These kicks are sold out every where on line – that would be the first in a LONG TIME!.
They Wbers are def sold out on line but at the Beverly Hills House o Hoops they had three CW, the AS White, Road Black and Weber’s bread Purple. I wasn’t a fan of the AS white’s but after seeing them in Person – those are pretty Dopetastic. I stayed Suede, the purple suede is unique and much better then what I have seen nike do when they had the opportunity. On the Pau Gasol Air Max Hyper Rize they had the option of going Purple suede but went Purple Buck. I went a half size down to a size 11. they are not tight with the size change but I do feel the sides of my feet being a bit (hair) pressing on the side walls. I took into account the Duke review and although I have experienced heel slips in the past the solution for me was always get a half size smaller and with the 11 i did not get the heel slip vibe – YET. Funny you don’t see big guys talking about heel slippage, when you wear a 15 and up there aint no Half Sizes available its plus or minus an inch – maybe that’s why they rock like 9 pairs of socks! one thing I will say is that I tried on the Road Back and I could tell a difference in Shoe Squeek / traction just in the store with the cow print being the squeekier (new word) kicks. Right off the bat I feel there is minimal torsional support cuz they do flex or just have a strange bouncy feeling to them which is a good thing but unlike any of their bball shoes as late and Im going back to 2006. Side note, they had the UA Cluth Fit Drive in the Year of the Dragon CW and in person those things are SICKLY.
Went down half a size, still felt heel slip. The heel slip can be a dangerous factor in ankle sprains. No purchase for me. Such a shame as the rest of the shoe felt really solid.
i just bought a pair of the D.Lillards1.0 Friday night and they are very comfortable and they are awesome on the indoor and outdoor courts and had no problems and I will rate these shoes 10 out of 10! And I agree with alot of what my friends said these shoes look exactly like the way of wades!
Just bought this because of sales.Size UK8 fit to true size.Wear thin sock to test it and it is ok.When i wear normal basketball sock, it feels slight tight on the side, should i be worry?and change the shoe?